U.S. patent application number 15/901457 was filed with the patent office on 2018-10-04 for charge removal process in image forming apparatus.
The applicant listed for this patent is Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha. Invention is credited to Shota Iriyama, Hotaka Kakutani, Kazutoshi Kotama, Chieko Mimura, Kengo Yada.
Application Number | 20180284634 15/901457 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 63450998 |
Filed Date | 2018-10-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180284634 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Iriyama; Shota ; et
al. |
October 4, 2018 |
Charge Removal Process in Image Forming Apparatus
Abstract
An image forming apparatus executes reverse charging,
toner-supply suspension, second exposure, and second charging,
while a photosensitive member rotates at least a full turn. In the
reverse charging, a charger charges a portion of a circumferential
surface of the photosensitive member to a specified polarity. In
the toner-supply suspension, before the portion, which has been
charged to the second polarity in the reverse charging, of the
circumferential surface of the photosensitive member passes a
position at which the developer from the developing unit is
configured to initially adhered to the circumferential surface, a
developing unit stops supplying developer to the circumferential
surface. In the second exposure, an exposure device exposes the
portion, which has been charged to the specified polarity in the
reverse charging, of the circumferential surface. In the second
charging the charger charges the portion, which has been exposed in
the second exposure, of the circumferential surface.
Inventors: |
Iriyama; Shota; (Nagoya-shi,
JP) ; Kotama; Kazutoshi; (Nagoya-shi, JP) ;
Mimura; Chieko; (Nagoya-shi, JP) ; Yada; Kengo;
(Nagoya-shi, JP) ; Kakutani; Hotaka; (Nagoya-shi,
JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha |
Nagoya-shi |
|
JP |
|
|
Family ID: |
63450998 |
Appl. No.: |
15/901457 |
Filed: |
February 21, 2018 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G03G 15/0865 20130101;
G03G 21/06 20130101; G03G 15/0266 20130101; G03G 15/011 20130101;
G03G 15/0813 20130101; G03G 15/0808 20130101; G03G 15/0126
20130101; G03G 15/80 20130101; G03G 15/0121 20130101; G03G 15/043
20130101; G03G 15/0131 20130101; G03G 21/0011 20130101 |
International
Class: |
G03G 15/02 20060101
G03G015/02; G03G 21/00 20060101 G03G021/00; G03G 15/08 20060101
G03G015/08; G03G 15/00 20060101 G03G015/00; G03G 15/01 20060101
G03G015/01; G03G 15/16 20060101 G03G015/16; G03G 15/043 20060101
G03G015/043 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 24, 2017 |
JP |
2017-033705 |
Claims
1. An image forming apparatus comprising: an image forming unit
including: a photosensitive member having a photosensitive layer; a
charger configured to charge a circumferential surface of the
photosensitive member to a first polarity; an exposure device
comprising a light source, the exposure device configured to expose
the circumferential surface of the photosensitive member; a
developing unit configured to supply developer onto the
circumferential surface of the photosensitive member; and a
transfer member configured to transfer the developer onto a
recording medium from the circumferential surface of the
photosensitive member, wherein the image forming unit is configured
to perform a printing process including a first charging, a first
exposure and a transferring, the transferring including
transferring a developer image onto the recording medium; and a
controller electrically connected to the image forming unit, the
controller configured to perform: reverse charging while the
photosensitive member rotates at least a full turn, the reverse
charging including charging a portion of the circumferential
surface of the photosensitive member to a second polarity opposite
to the first polarity, in a period different from an execution
period of the transferring of the printing process; toner-supply
suspension before the portion, which has been charged to the second
polarity in the reverse charging, of the circumferential surface of
the photosensitive member passes a position at which developer from
the developing unit is configured to initially adhere to the
circumferential surface of the photosensitive member, control the
developing unit to stop supplying the developer to the
circumferential surface of the photosensitive member; second
exposure while the photosensitive member rotates at least a full
turn, the second exposure including controlling the exposure device
to expose the portion, which has been charged to the second
polarity in the reverse charging, of the circumferential surface of
the photosensitive member; and second charging while the
photosensitive member rotates at least a full turn, the second
charging including controlling the charger to charge the portion,
which has been exposed in the second exposure, of the
circumferential surface of the photosensitive member to the first
polarity.
2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further
comprising: a charge voltage application circuit electrically
connected to the charger and the controller and configured to apply
a charge voltage to the charger, wherein the controller is further
configured to: in the first charging, control the charge voltage
application circuit to apply a first charge voltage to the charger;
and in the reverse charging, control the charge voltage application
circuit to apply, to the charger, a reverse charge voltage having
an opposite polarity to the first charge voltage.
3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further
comprising: a transfer voltage application circuit electrically
connected to the transfer member and the controller and configured
to apply a transfer voltage to the transfer member, wherein the
controller is further configured to: in the transferring, control
the transfer voltage application circuit to apply a first transfer
voltage to the transfer member; and in the reverse charging,
control the transfer voltage application circuit to apply, to the
transfer member, a second transfer voltage having the same polarity
as the first transfer voltage.
4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
controller is further configured to, in the toner-supply
suspension, move a developing roller of the developing unit from a
first position, at which the developing roller and the
circumferential surface of the photosensitive member contact with
each other, to a second position, at which the developing roller is
out of contact with the circumferential surface of the
photosensitive member, and to maintain the developing roller in the
second position.
5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the
controller is further configured to: execute the reverse charging
for a period equal to or greater than a period required for the
photosensitive member to rotate two full turns; upon expiration of
a predetermined period TP from the start of the reverse charging,
start the second exposure, and wherein the predetermined period TP
satisfies an equation of TP.gtoreq.TD+DP/S, where TD is a period
required for the photosensitive member to rotate a full turn, DP is
a partial circumference of the circumferential surface of the
photosensitive member, the partial circumference being a length of
a circumferential line that extends from a position along the
circumference of the photosensitive member at which the charger
generates an electric field to a position which is a point at which
a light emitted from the light source intersects with the
circumference of the photosensitive member, and S is a peripheral
speed of the photosensitive member.
6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the
position at which the charger generates the electric field
corresponds to a position at which the charger and the
circumferential surface of the photosensitive member contact with
each other.
7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the
controller is further configured to: execute the reverse charging
for a period equal to or greater than a period required for the
photosensitive member to rotate two full turns; upon expiration of
a predetermined period TP from the start of the reverse charging,
start the second exposure, and wherein the predetermined period TP
satisfies an equation of TP.gtoreq.TD+DP/S, where TD is a period
required for the photosensitive member to rotate a full turn, DP is
a partial circumference of the circumferential surface of the
photosensitive member, the partial circumference being a length of
a circumferential line that extends from a position along the
circumference of the photosensitive member at which the transfer
member generates an electric field to a position which is a point
at which a light emitted from the light source intersects with the
circumference of the photosensitive member, and S is a peripheral
speed of the photosensitive member.
8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the
position at which the transfer member generates the electric field
corresponds to a position at which the transfer member and the
circumferential surface of the photosensitive member are closest to
each other.
9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the
controller is further configured to: execute the reverse charging
for the period equal to the period required for the photosensitive
member to rotate two full turns; and execute the second exposure
for the period equal to the period required for the photosensitive
member to rotate a full turn.
10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
controller is further configured to start the reverse charging
subsequent to start of the toner-supply suspension.
11. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
controller is further configured to start and end each of the
reverse charging, the second exposure and second charging prior to
starting the printing process.
12. A control method to be executed by a controller of an image
forming apparatus, the image forming apparatus configured to
perform a printing process including a first charging, a first
exposure and a transferring, the transferring including
transferring a developer image onto a recording medium, the control
method comprising: reverse charging while a photosensitive member
of the image forming apparatus rotates at least a full turn, the
reverse charging including charging a portion of a circumferential
surface of the photosensitive member to a reverse charging
polarity, in a period different from an execution period of the
transferring; toner-supply suspension before the portion, which has
been charged to the reverse charging polarity in the reverse
charging, of the circumferential surface of the photosensitive
member passes a position at which developer from a developing unit
of the image forming apparatus is configured to initially adhere to
the circumferential surface of the photosensitive member, the
toner-supply suspension including controlling the developing unit
to stop supplying the developer to the circumferential surface of
the photosensitive member; second exposure while the photosensitive
member rotates at least a full turn, the second exposure including
controlling an exposure device having a light source to expose the
portion, which has been charged to the reverse charging polarity in
the reverse charging, of the circumferential surface of the
photosensitive member; and second charging while the photosensitive
member rotates at least a full turn, the second charging including
controlling a charger to charge the portion, which has been exposed
in the second exposure, of the circumferential surface of the
photosensitive member to a charging polarity opposite to the
reverse charging polarity, at the position.
13. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing
computer-readable instructions, the computer-readable instructions
executable by a processor of an image forming apparatus, the image
forming apparatus configured to perform a printing process
including a first charging, a first exposure and a transferring,
the transferring including transferring a developer image onto a
recording medium, wherein the instructions, when executed by the
processor, cause the image forming apparatus to perform: reverse
charging while a photosensitive member of the image forming
apparatus rotates at least a full turn, the reverse charging
including charging a portion of a circumferential surface of the
photosensitive member to a reverse charging polarity, in a period
different from an execution period of the transferring;
toner-supply suspension before the portion, which has been charged
to the reverse charging polarity in the reverse charging, of the
circumferential surface of the photosensitive member passes a
position at which developer from a developing unit of the image
forming apparatus is configured to initially adhere to the
circumferential surface of the photosensitive member, the
toner-supply suspension including controlling the developing unit
to stop supplying the developer to the circumferential surface of
the photosensitive member; second exposure while the photosensitive
member rotates at least a full turn, the second exposure including
controlling an exposure device having a light source to expose the
portion, which has been charged to the reverse charging polarity in
the reverse charging, of the circumferential surface of the
photosensitive member; and second charging while the photosensitive
member rotates at least a full turn, the second charging including
controlling a charger to charge the portion, which has been exposed
in the second exposure, of the circumferential surface of the
photosensitive member to a charging polarity opposite to the
reverse charging polarity, at the position.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority from Japanese Patent
Application No. 2017-033705 filed on Feb. 24, 2017, the content of
which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] Aspects disclosed herein relate to an image forming
apparatus including a photosensitive member, a method of
controlling the image forming apparatus, and a non-transitory
computer-readable storage medium storing a program.
BACKGROUND
[0003] In known electrophotographic image forming apparatuses, for
example, slide contact of a cleaning member or a charge roller
relative to a circumferential surface of a photosensitive member
causes generation of charges in the photosensitive member, and the
generated charges tend to stay and accumulate in the photosensitive
member, which may further cause chargeability degradation and/or
ghost printing. In order to solve such problems, in one known
technique, when power of an image forming apparatus is turned on,
charges accumulated in a photosensitive member are removed through
exposure of the photosensitive member to a greater exposure than
that applied to the photosensitive member in image formation. In
another known technique, during an interval between image formation
events, charges accumulated in a photosensitive member are removed
through charging of a circumferential surface of the photosensitive
member while the photosensitive member rotates one or more full
(e.g., 360 degrees) turns. In the meantime, a developing roller is
kept separated from the photosensitive member, a transfer bias
application is stopped, and a static eliminator is caused to be
inactivated.
SUMMARY
[0004] According to one or more aspects described herein, an image
foeming apparatus is provided. The image forming apparatus may
include an image forming unit and a controller electrically
connected to the image forming unit. The image forming unit may
include a photosensitive member, a charger, an exposure device, a
developing unit, and a transfer member. The photosensitive member
may have a photosensitive layer. The charger may be configured to
charge a circumferential surface of the photosensitive member to a
first polarity. The exposure device may comprise a light source.
The exposure device may be configured to expose the circumferential
surface of the photosensitive member. The developing unit may be
configured to supply developer onto the circumferential surface of
the photosensitive member. The transfer member may be configured to
transfer the developer onto a recording medium from the
circumferential surface of the photosensitive member. The image
forming unit may be configured to perform a printing process. The
printing process may include a first charging, a first exposure and
a transferring. The transferring may include transferring a
developer image onto the recording medium. The controller may be
configured to perform reverse charging, while the photosensitive
member rotates at least a full turn. The reverse charging may
include charging the portion of the circumferential surface of the
photosensitive member to a second polarity opposite to the first
polarity, in a period different from an execution period of the
transferring of the printing process. The controller may be
configured to perform toner-supply suspension before the portion,
which has been charged to the second polarity in the reverse
charging, of the circumferential surface of the photosensitive
member passes a position at which developer from the developing
unit is configured to initially adhere to the circumferential
surface of the photosensitive member. The toner-supply suspension
may include controlling the developing unit to stop supplying the
developer to the circumferential surface of the photosensitive
member. The controller may be configured to perform second exposure
while the photosensitive member rotates at least a full turn. The
second exposure may include controlling the exposure device to
expose the portion, which has been charged to the second polarity
in the reverse charging, of the circumferential surface of the
photosensitive member. The controller may be configured to perform
second charging while the photosensitive member rotates at least a
full turn. The second charging may include controlling the charger
to charge the portion, which has been exposed in the second
exposure, of the circumferential surface of the photosensitive
member to the first polarity.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] Aspects of the disclosure are illustrated by way of example
and not by limitation in the accompanying figures in which like
reference characters indicate similar elements.
[0006] FIG. 1 is a sectional view illustrating a color printer in a
first illustrative embodiment according to one or more aspects of
the disclosure.
[0007] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a contacting and
separating manner of developing rollers relative to corresponding
photosensitive drums in the first illustrative embodiment according
to one or more aspects of the disclosure.
[0008] FIG. 3 illustrates an internal configuration of the color
printer in the first illustrative embodiment according to one or
more aspects of the disclosure.
[0009] FIG. 4 illustrates a positional relationship between one of
the photosensitive drums and its surrounding rollers in the first
illustrative embodiment according to one or more aspects of the
disclosure.
[0010] FIGS. 5A and 5B show principles of how charges are generated
and accumulated inside a photosensitive layer in the first
illustrative embodiment according to one or more aspects of the
disclosure.
[0011] FIGS. 6A to 6E illustrate principles of how to remove
accumulated charges in the first illustrative embodiment according
to one or more aspects of the disclosure.
[0012] FIG. 7 is a flowchart of operations executed by a controller
in the first illustrative embodiment according to one or more
aspects of the disclosure.
[0013] FIG. 8 is a flowchart of accumulated charge removal in the
first illustrative embodiment according to one or more aspects of
the disclosure.
[0014] FIG. 9 is a timing diagram of the operations executed by the
controller in the first illustrative embodiment according to one or
more aspects of the disclosure.
[0015] FIGS. 10A to 10G illustrate state transition of charges
accumulated inside the photosensitive layer in the accumulated
charge removal in the first illustrative embodiment according to
one or more aspects of the disclosure.
[0016] FIG. 11 is a timing diagram of operations executed by the
controller in a second illustrative embodiment according to one or
more aspects of the disclosure.
[0017] FIG. 12 is a flowchart of the operations executed by the
controller in the second illustrative embodiment according to one
or more aspects of the disclosure.
[0018] FIG. 13 is a timing diagram of operations executed by the
controller in the third illustrative embodiment according to one or
more aspects of the disclosure.
[0019] FIG. 14 is a flowchart of the operations executed by the
controller in the third illustrative embodiment according to one or
more aspects of the disclosure.
[0020] FIG. 15 is a timing diagram of operations executed by the
controller in a fourth illustrative embodiment according to one or
more aspects of the disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
First Illustrative Embodiment
[0021] A first illustrative embodiment will be described with
reference to appropriate accompanying drawings. In the description
below, an overall configuration of a color printer 1 (as an example
of an image forming apparatus) will be described, and various
features will be then described indetail. The color printer 1 may
be a color laser printer.
[0022] In the description below, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the
right and left of FIG. 1 are defined as the rear and front,
respectively, of the color printer 1. The right and left of the
color printer 1 are defined as viewed from the front of the color
printer 1. A top-bottom direction is defined with reference to an
orientation of the color printer 1 in which it may be intended to
be used.
[0023] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the color printer 1 includes a
housing 10, a feed unit 20, an image forming unit 30, and a
discharge unit 90 in housing 10. The feed unit 20 is configured to
feed one or more sheets P (an example of a transfer-receiving
medium). The image forming unit 30 is configured to form an image
onto a fed sheet P. The discharge unit 90 is configured to
discharge a sheet P having an image to the outside of the housing
10.
[0024] The feed unit 20 includes a feed tray 21 and a sheet
conveyor 22. The feed tray 21 is configured to support one or more
sheets P. The sheet conveyor 22 is configured to convey sheets P
one by one from the feed tray 21.
[0025] The image forming unit 30 includes a scanner 40 (an example
of an exposure device), a plurality of process units 50, a transfer
unit 70, a cleaning unit 60, and a fixing unit 80.
[0026] The scanner 40 is disposed above the plurality of process
units 50, and includes laser sources (not illustrated), a polygon
mirror, lenses, and reflectors. In the scanner 40, a laser beam is
emitted from each of the laser sources. The emitted laser beam
travels to a circumferential surface of a corresponding
photosensitive drum 51 (as an example of a photosensitive member)
while being reflected off the polygon mirror and one or more of the
reflectors and passing through the lenses. Thus, the laser beam
scans the circumferential surface of the corresponding
photosensitive drum 51 at a high scanning speed.
[0027] The process units 50 are disposed in tandem in the
front-rear direction. Each of the process units 50 includes a drum
unit 510 and a developing unit 520. The developing unit 520 is
attachable to and detachable from the drum unit 510.
[0028] The drum unit 510 includes a photosensitive drum 51, a
charge roller 52 (as an example of a charger and a reverse
charger), and a cleaning blade 57. The developing unit 520 includes
a developing roller 54, a supply roller 55, and a toner chamber 56.
The toner chamber 56 is configured to store toner (an example of
developer).
[0029] The process units 50 includes process units 50K, 50Y, 50M,
and 50C which store toner of respective colors, e.g., black (K),
yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C), respectively. In one
example, the process units 50K, 50Y, 50M, and 50C are disposed in
tandem in this order from upstream in a direction in which a sheet
P is conveyed. In the description below and the accompanying
drawings, when the same or similar components (e.g., the
photosensitive drums 51 and the developing rollers 54) are
distinguished by toner color, specific letters K, Y, M, and C
representing respective toner colors are appended to their
reference numerals. Otherwise, the specific letters Y M, C, and K
are omitted. In the description below, a plurality of the same
components have the same or similar configuration and function in
the same or similar manner to each other. Therefore, one of the
plurality of same components may be described in detail, and
description for the others may be omitted.
[0030] As illustrated in FIG. 3, the photosensitive drum 51
includes a cylindrical base 51A, and a photosensitive layer 51B
formed on an outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical base
51A. The cylindrical base 51A may be made of a conductive member
such as metal. The photosensitive layer 51B may be a
positively-chargeable organic photosensitive layer containing a
charge generating material, an electron transport material, a hole
transport material, and a binder resin. The cylindrical base 51A is
connected to a ground potential portion of the color printer 1.
[0031] The charge roller 52 is configured to charge the
circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum 51. The charge
roller 52 is in contact with the circumferential surface of the
photosensitive drum 51. The charge roller 52 is configured to be
applied with a positive charge voltage in charging.
[0032] The developing roller 54 may contact the circumferential
surface of the photosensitive drum 51 to supply toner onto an
electrostatic latent image formed on the circumferential surface of
the photosensitive drum 51 to develop the electrostatic latent
image with toner. In the illustrative embodiment, when the
developing roller 54 supplies toner onto the circumferential
surface of the photosensitive drum 51, toner is positively charged
by friction caused by sliding of the developing roller 54 and the
supply roller 55 relative to each other.
[0033] The color printer 1 further includes a developing roller
moving mechanism TM. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the developing
rollers 54 are configured to contact and separate from the
respective photosensitive drums 51 by the developing roller moving
mechanism TM that is controlled by a controller 100 of the color
printer 1. The developing roller moving mechanism TM is
electrically connected to the controller 100. More specifically,
for example, in a color mode, all of the developing rollers 54K,
54Y, 54M, and 54C contact the photosensitive drums 51K, 51Y, 51M,
and 51C, respectively, to supply toner of respective colors to the
corresponding photosensitive drums 51K, 51Y, 51M, and 51C. In a
monochrome mode, while the black developing roller 54K contacts the
photosensitive drum 51K, the other developing rollers 54Y, 54M, and
54C are kept separated from the photosensitive drums 51Y, 51M, and
51C, respectively. In accumulated charge removal, all of the
developing rollers 54K, 54Y, 54M, and 54C are kept separated from
the photosensitive drums 51K, 51Y, 51M, and 51C, respectively.
[0034] The cleaning blade 57 is configured to collect foreign
matters, e.g., toner, adhering to the photosensitive drum 51. As
illustrated in FIG. 1, the cleaning blade 57 is in contact with the
circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum 51.
[0035] The transfer unit 70 is disposed between the feed unit 20
and the plurality of process units 50 in the top-bottom direction.
The transfer unit 70 includes a drive roller 71, a driven roller
72, a conveying belt 73, and transfer rollers 74 (each of which is
an example of an example of a transfer member).
[0036] The drive roller 71 and the driven roller 72 extend parallel
to each other while being spaced apart from each other in the
front-rear direction. The conveying belt 73, e.g., an endless belt,
is looped around the drive roller 71 and the driven roller 72. The
conveying belt 73 has an outer circumferential surface, which is in
contact with the circumferential surfaces of the photosensitive
drums 51. The transfer rollers 74 (e.g., four transfer rollers 74)
are disposed inside a loop of the conveying belt 73 while being
opposite to the respective photosensitive drums 51 relative to the
conveying belt 73. Each photosensitive drum 51/transfer roller 74
pair sandwiches the conveying belt 73 therebetween. Each of the
transfer rollers 74 is configured to be applied with a negative
charge voltage in transferring.
[0037] As illustrated in FIG. 1, in each of the process units 50,
the charge roller 52, the developing roller 54, the transfer roller
74, and the cleaning blade 57 are disposed around the
photosensitive drum 51 in this order with respect to a rotating
direction (e.g., counterclockwise in FIG. 1) of the photosensitive
drum 51.
[0038] The cleaning unit 60 is disposed below the conveying belt
73. The cleaning unit 60 is configured to collect toner adhering to
the conveying belt 73 by sliding of the cleaning unit 60 and the
conveying belt 73 relative to each other.
[0039] The fixing unit 80 is disposed further to the rear than the
plurality of process units 50 and the transfer unit 70. The fixing
unit 80 includes a heat roller 81 and a pressure roller 82. The
pressure roller 82 faces the heat roller 81 and presses the heat
roller 81.
[0040] For color printing, in the image forming unit 30, the
circumferential surface of each of the photosensitive drums 51 is
uniformly and positively charged by each corresponding charge
roller 52 and is then exposed to a laser beam emitted by the
scanner 40. As a result of the exposure, in each of the
photosensitive drums 51, both positive and negative charge is
generated inside the photosensitive layer 51B (refer to FIG. 3) and
the negative charges are transported toward an outer surface of the
photosensitive layer 51B. Thus, some of the positive charge
accumulated on the outer surface of the photosensitive layer 51B in
charging is cancelled out by some negative charge transported to
the outer surface of the photosensitive layer 51B and therefore an
electrostatic latent image is formed on each of the photosensitive
drums 51. Thereafter, each of the developing rollers 54 supplies
toner onto the circumferential surface of each of the corresponding
photosensitive drums 51 from the developing unit 520 to form a
toner image on the circumferential surface of each of the
photosensitive drums 51.
[0041] When a sheet P placed on the conveyor belt 72 passes between
each pair of photosensitive drum 51/transfer roller 74 pair, the
toner image formed on each of the photosensitive drums 51 is
transferred onto the sheet P. For monochrome printing, in the image
forming unit 30, the same or similar operation is performed on the
components to be involved in printing in black K. Thereafter, when
the sheet P passes between the heat roller 81 and the pressure
roller 82, the toner images transferred on the sheet P are
thermally fixed thereon.
[0042] The discharge unit 90 includes a plurality of conveying
rollers 91 for conveying a sheet P. The conveying rollers 91 convey
a sheet P, on which a toner image has been transferred and
thermally fixed, and discharge the sheet P to the outside of the
housing 10.
[0043] As illustrated in FIG. 3, the color printer 1 further
includes a charge voltage application circuit 210, a drum driving
mechanism 220, a developing voltage application circuit 230, and a
transfer voltage application circuit 240, as well as the controller
100. The charge voltage application circuit 210, the drum driving
mechanism 220, the developing voltage application circuit 230, and
the transfer voltage application circuit 240 are each electrically
connected to controller 100.
[0044] The charge voltage application circuit 210 is configured to
apply a first charge voltage and a second charge voltage to the
charge roller 52. The first and second charge voltages may be a
positive voltage (as an example of a first polarity). The charge
voltage application circuit 210 is further configured to apply a
reverse charge voltage to the charge roller 52. The reverse charge
voltage may be a negative voltage (as an example of a second
polarity). When the charge voltage application circuit 210 applies
the first charge voltage or the second charge voltage to the charge
roller 52, the circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum
51 is positively charged. When the charge voltage application
circuit 210 applies the reverse charge voltage to the charge roller
52, the circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum 51 is
negatively charged.
[0045] The drum driving mechanism 220 is configured to rotate the
photosensitive drums 51, and includes, for example, a motor, gears,
and a clutch. The drum driving mechanism 220 is electrically
connected to each of the photosensitive drums 51.
[0046] The developing voltage application circuit 230 is configured
to apply a positive developing bias to each of the developing
rollers 54. The developing voltage application circuit 230 is
electrically connected to each of the developing rollers 54.
Developing bias to be applied during printing is lower than the
charge voltage and higher than a surface potential of an exposed
portion of the photosensitive drum 51. The transfer voltage
application circuit 240 is configured to apply a negative transfer
voltage to each of the transfer rollers 74. The transfer voltage
application circuit 240 is electrically connected to each of the
transfer rollers 74.
[0047] The controller 100 includes, for example, a CPU, a ROM, and
a RAM. The controller 100 is configured to, in response to receipt
of a print instruction, output a control signal to each of the
image forming unit 30 and the discharge unit 90 in accordance with
predetermined programs. The controller 100 is configured to execute
image formation for forming a toner image onto a sheet P, and
accumulated charge removal for removing accumulated charges from
the inside of the photosensitive layer 51B of each of the
photosensitive drums 51. The controller 100 is configured to, when
executing the image formation or the accumulated charge removal,
control the drum driving mechanism 220 to rotate the photosensitive
drums 51.
[0048] Accumulated charges may be positive and negative charges
generated inside the photosensitive layer 51B due to, for example,
sliding of the photosensitive drum 51 relative to the cleaning
blade 57. As illustrated in FIGS. 5A and 5B, accumulated charges C1
and C2 may increase gradually every time the photosensitive drum 51
slides relative to the cleaning blade 57. The accumulated charges
C1 and C2 generated as such do not tend to move freely, and
therefore, it is conceivable that even if an electric field is
generated and acts on the accumulated charges C1 and C2 in
charging, the accumulated charges C1 and C2 do not move from their
positions and may accumulate in the proximity of the outer surface
of the photosensitive layer 51B.
[0049] The controller 100 is further configured to execute first
charging, first exposure, developing, and transferring in the image
formation. The controller 100 is further configured to execute
reverse charging, toner-supply suspension, second exposure, and
second charging in the accumulated charge removal. In other words,
the controller 100 implements those operations by operating in
accordance with the programs. Further, a control method executed by
the controller 100 includes steps for executing the above
operations.
[0050] Hereinafter, the operations executed in the image formation
will be described in detail by taking one of photosensitive drums
51 involved in the monochrome mode as an example. When the image
formation is performed in the color mode, the same operations are
executed on all of the photosensitive drums in the image formation.
The first charging is for charging the circumferential surface of
the photosensitive drum 51 positively using the corresponding
charge roller 52. More specifically, the first charging is a
pre-operation or preparatory operation for the first exposure to be
executed based on image data. That is, the first charging is for
charging a portion of the circumferential surface of the
photosensitive drum 51 to an appropriate surface potential using
the scanner 40 during a period from start to end of the first
exposure.
[0051] As illustrated in FIG. 4, a first position P1 is a position
at which the photosensitive drum 51 and the charge roller 52
contact each other. A second position P2 is a contact point at
which a laser beam emitted from the scanner 40 (refer to FIG. 1)
with contacts the circumferential surface of the photosensitive
drum 51. The first position P1 is positioned upstream from the
second position P2 in the rotating direction of the photosensitive
drum 51. The first position P1 is spaced from the second position
P2 by a second distance D2 in a circumferential direction of the
photosensitive drum 51. Therefore, a length of a second period of
time T2 required for a portion, which is positioned at the first
position P1 when charging starts, of the photosensitive drum 51K to
arrive at the second position P2 may be expressed by Expression
(1).
T2=D2/S (1)
[0052] D2: a partial circumference of the circumferential surface
of the photosensitive drum 51. This partial circumference is the
length of a line that extends downstream along the circumferential
surface of the photosensitive drum 51 from the first position P1 to
the second position P2 inclusive in the rotating direction of the
photosensitive drum 51, and
[0053] S: a peripheral speed of the photosensitive drum 51.
[0054] Therefore, as illustrated in FIG. 9, the first charging may
be executed at least for a period TF, which may last from a timing
(e.g., timing t10) that is the second period T2 earlier than the
start of the first exposure to a timing (e.g., timing t12) that is
the second period T2 earlier than the end of the first exposure. In
the illustrative embodiment, the first charging is executed for a
period which lasts from timing t7, which is earlier than timing
t10, to timing t15, which is later than timing t12.
[0055] The controller 100 controls the charge voltage application
circuit 210 to apply a first charge voltage to the charge roller
52. More specifically, for example, in response to receipt of a
print instruction, the controller 100 outputs, to the charge
voltage application circuit 210, a control signal responsive to the
first charge voltage. In response to the control signal outputted
from the controller 100, the charge voltage application circuit 210
applies a first charge voltage to the charge roller 52. In the
illustrative embodiment, the first charge voltage is a
predetermined voltage V11. The predetermined voltage V11 may be,
for example, 1500V.
[0056] In the illustrative embodiment, upon lapse of a third period
T3 from the end of the transferring, the controller 100 ends the
first charging. The third period T3 may be expressed by Expression
(2).
T3=D3/S (2)
[0057] D3: a partial circumference of the circumferential surface
of the photosensitive drum 51. This partial circumference is the
length of a line that extends downstream along the circumferential
surface of the photosensitive drum 51 from a fourth position P4
(refer to FIG. 4) to the first position P1 inclusive in the
rotating direction of the photosensitive drum 51, and
[0058] S: a peripheral speed of the photosensitive drum 51.
[0059] The fourth position P4 is a position at which the transfer
roller 74 and the circumferential surface of the photosensitive
drum 51 sandwich the conveying belt 73 therebetween.
[0060] Further continuing the first charging for the third period
T3 beyond the end of the transferring may enable charging of the
entire circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum 51 to a
predetermined surface potential uniformly, and thus the entire
circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum 51 may have
substantially the same surface potential when printing ends.
[0061] The first exposure is for forming an electrostatic latent
image onto the circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum
51 by exposing the circumferential surface of the photosensitive
drum 51 charged in the first charging. The controller 100 controls
the scanner 40 to emit and stop emitting a laser beam based on
image data corresponding to a print instruction to form an
electrostatic latent image onto the circumferential surface of the
photosensitive drum 51. A duration of an execution period of the
first exposure varies according to a size of the image data to be
printed. According to variations of the duration of the execution
period of the first exposure, a duration of an execution period of
the first charging also changes.
[0062] The developing is for forming a toner image on the
circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum 51 by supplying
toner onto an electrostatic latent image by the developing roller
54. The controller 100 controls the developing voltage application
circuit 230 to apply a developing voltage to the developing roller
54 in the developing. The developing voltage may be, for example,
300 V.
[0063] The transferring is for transferring a toner image onto a
recording medium/media such as sheet P. The controller 100 controls
the transfer voltage application circuit 240 to apply a first
transfer voltage to the transfer roller 74 in the transferring.
Upon expiration of the first period T1 from the end of the first
exposure, the controller 100 ends the transferring. The first
period T1 may be expressed by Expression (4).
T1=D1/S (4)
[0064] D1: a partial circumference of the circumferential surface
of the photosensitive drum 51 which is the length of a line that
extends downstream along the circumferential surface of the
photosensitive drum 51 from the second position P2 to the fourth
position P4 (refer to FIG. 4) inclusive in the rotating direction
of the photosensitive drum 51, and
[0065] S: a peripheral speed of the photosensitive drum 51.
[0066] Hereinafter, the operations executed in the accumulated
charge removal will be described in detail by taking one of the
photosensitive drums 51 as an example although the same operations
are simultaneously executed on all of the photosensitive drums 51
in the actual operations. The reverse charging is for charging the
circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum 51 negatively
using the charge roller 52 while the photosensitive drum 51 rotates
a full turn (e.g., 360 degrees) in a time period different from the
execution period of the transferring. In the reverse charging, the
controller 100 controls the charge voltage application circuit 210
to apply the reverse charge voltage having a polarity opposite to
the first charge voltage to the charge roller 52. In the
illustrative embodiment, the reverse charge voltage is a specified
voltage -V12. An absolute value of the specified voltage -V12 may
be, for example, the same as the predetermined value V11. The
specified voltage -V12 may be, for example, -1500 V.
[0067] The controller 100 starts the reverse charging during
execution of the toner-supply suspension. More specifically, in
response to receipt of a print instruction, the controller 100
starts the reverse charging. In other words, subsequent to the
start of the toner-supply suspension (to stop supplying toner to
the photosensitive drum 51 from the developing unit 520), the
controller 11 starts the reverse charging.
[0068] The toner-supply suspension is for temporarily stopping
supply of toner from the developing roller 54 to the photosensitive
drum 51 while the portion, which has been negatively charged in the
reverse charging, of the photosensitive drum 51 passes a third
position P3 (refer to FIG. 4). The third position P3 is a position
at which the developing roller 54 and the circumferential surface
of the photosensitive drum 51 contact with each other. More
specifically, in the toner-supply suspension, the controller 100
controls the developing roller moving mechanism TM to separate the
developing roller 54 from the respective photosensitive drum
51.
[0069] The controller 100 starts the toner-supply suspension
subsequent to the end of the transferring. More specifically, for
example, the controller 100 starts the toner-supply suspension
subsequent to the end of the first charging (e.g., timing t15)
(refer to FIG. 9). Upon lapse of a fourth period T4 from the start
of the first charging (e.g., timing t7) (refer to FIG. 9), the
controller 100 ends the toner-supply suspension. That is, the
controller 100 controls the developing roller moving mechanism TM
to contact the developing roller 54 to the photosensitive drum 51
(e.g., timing t8). The fourth period T4 may be expressed by
Expression (3).
T4=D4/S (3)
[0070] D4: a partial circumference of the circumferential surface
of the photosensitive drum 51 which is the length of a line that
extends downstream along the circumferential surface of the
photosensitive drum 51 from the first position P1 to the third
position P3 (refer to FIG. 4) inclusive in the rotating direction
of the photosensitive drum 51, and
[0071] S: a peripheral speed of the photosensitive drum 51.
[0072] With this control, when the portion, which has been charged
at the first position P1 in the first charging, of the
circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum 51 arrives at
the third position P3, the developing roller 54 made to contact the
photosensitive drum 51. Therefore, this control may avoid an
unnecessary toner supply to the photosensitive drum 51 from the
developing roller 54.
[0073] The second exposure is for, while the photosensitive drum 51
rotates a full turn, exposing, using the scanner 40, a portion,
which has been negatively charged in the reverse charging, of the
circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum 51 to a laser
beam at the second position P2 (refer to FIG. 4). More
specifically, for example, upon expiration of the second period T2
from the start of the reverse charging, the controller 100 starts
the second exposure.
[0074] The controller 100 ends the second exposure prior to start
of the second charging. More specifically, for example, upon
expiration of the specified period TD from the start of the second
exposure, the controller 100 ends the second exposure.
[0075] The controller 100 controls the scanner 40 to expose an
entire width of an image formable area of the photosensitive drum
51 in the second exposure. The width of the image formable area may
correspond to a dimension of the image formable area of the
photosensitive drum 51 in a direction in which an axis of the
photosensitive drum 51 extends.
[0076] The second exposure is achieved if most of the width of the
image formable area is exposed. In other words, in the second
exposure, it may be unnecessary to expose the entire width of the
image formable area. For example, not the entire width but between
70 percent and 90 percent of the entire width of the image formable
area may be exposed in the second exposure.
[0077] The second charging is for, while the photosensitive drum 51
rotates a full turn, charging, using the charge roller 52, a
portion, which has been exposed in the second exposure, of the
circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum 51 at the first
position P1. In the second charging, the controller 100 controls
the charge voltage application circuit 210 to apply the second
charge voltage to the charge roller 52. In the illustrative
embodiment, the second charge voltage has the same value as the
first charge voltage, i.e., the predetermined voltage V11.
Nevertheless, in other embodiments, for example, the second charge
voltage may be smaller or greater than the first charge
voltage.
[0078] Hereinafter, principles of how to remove accumulated charges
C1 and C2 from the photosensitive layer 51B will be described. It
is assumed that some accumulated charges C1 and C2 are present
inside the photosensitive layer 51B.
[0079] In the accumulated charge removal, as illustrated in FIG.
6A, when the reverse charging is executed, negative charges
accumulate on the circumferential surface of the photosensitive
drum 51 and thus the potential of the outer surface of the
photosensitive layer 51B becomes negative. Therefore, a second
electric field E2, which is directed toward the outer surface of
the photosensitive layer 51B from the grounded cylindrical base
51A, is generated in the photosensitive layer 51B and acts on the
accumulated charges C1 and C2. Nevertheless, the accumulated
charges C1 and C2 stay at their positions.
[0080] As illustrated in FIG. 6B, when the second exposure is
executed subsequent to the reverse charging, positive charges C11
and negative charges C12 are generated in the photosensitive layer
51B. The positive charges C11 and negative charges C12 generated by
exposure tend to move easily due to an effect of the first electric
field E1.
[0081] Due to the effect of the second electric field E2, the
positive charges C11 move toward the outer surface of the
photosensitive layer 51B. Thus, some of the positive charges C11
are attracted to the negative charges accumulating on the outer
surface of the photosensitive layer 51B to cancel out each other.
Some others of the positive charges C11 are attracted to the
negative accumulated charges C2 in the proximity of the outer
surface of the photosensitive layer 51B to cancel each other out.
Thus, as illustrated in FIG. 6C, the positive accumulated charges
C1 and the negative charges C12 remain in the photosensitive layer
51B after the second exposure.
[0082] Subsequent to this, and as illustrated in FIG. 6D, when the
second charging is executed, positive charges accumulate on the
circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum 51 and thus the
potential of the outer surface of the photosensitive layer 51B
becomes positive. Therefore, a first electric field E1, which is
directed toward the cylindrical base 51A from the outer surface of
the photosensitive layer 51B, is generated in the photosensitive
layer 51B and acts on the accumulated charges C1 and C2. Thus, the
negative charges C12 move toward the outer surface of the
photosensitive layer 51B due to an effect of the first electric
field E1. The negative charges C12 are thus attracted to the
positive accumulated charges C1 remaining in the proximity of the
outer surface of the photosensitive layer 51B to cancel each other
out. As a result, and as illustrated in FIG. 6E, substantially all
of the accumulated charges C1 and C2 may be removed from the
photosensitive layer 51B.
[0083] Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, operations to be executed by the
controller 100 will be described. Until the controller 10 receives
a print instruction, the controller 10 continues the toner-supply
suspension, that is, the developing roller 54 is kept separated
from the photosensitive drum 51.
[0084] As illustrated in FIG. 7, in response to receipt of a print
instruction (e.g., START), the controller 100 executes the
accumulated charge removal (e.g., step S1). As illustrated in FIG.
8, in the accumulated charge removal, the controller 100 starts the
reverse charging (e.g., step S11).
[0085] Upon expiration of the second period T2 from the start of
the reverse charging, the controller 100 starts the second exposure
(e.g., step S12). Upon lapse of the specified period TD from the
start of the reverse charging, i.e., upon completion of a full turn
of the photosensitive drum 51, the controller 100 ends the reverse
charging (e.g., step S13).
[0086] Upon expiration of the specified period TD from the start of
the second exposure, the controller 100 ends the second exposure
(e.g., step S14). Subsequent to the end of the second exposure, the
controller 100 starts the second charging at an appropriate timing
(e.g., step S15). Upon expiration of the specified period TD from
the start of the second charging, the controller 100 ends the
second charging (e.g., step S16) and thus ends the accumulated
charge removal.
[0087] In response to completion of the accumulated charge removal,
and as illustrated in FIG. 7, the controller 100 starts the first
charging (e.g., step S2). That is, in the illustrative embodiment,
the controller 100 executes the first charging (e.g., step S2)
continuously from or immediately subsequent to the end of the
second charging (e.g., step S16). In the first illustrative
embodiment, the first charge voltage applied in the first charging
and the second charge voltage applied in the second charging are
specified as the same value (e.g., V11). Therefore, the same charge
voltage is applied continuously from the second charging (e.g.,
step S16) to the first charging (e.g., step S2). Nevertheless, in a
case where the first charge voltage and the second charge voltage
are specified as respective different values, the voltage value of
the charge voltage may be changed when the first charging starts in
step S22.
[0088] Upon expiration of the fourth period T4 from the start of
the first charging, the controller 100 controls the developing
roller moving mechanism TM to contact the developing roller 54 to
the photosensitive drum 51 (e.g., step S3). That is, in step S3,
the controller 100 ends the toner-supply suspension.
[0089] Upon expiration of a fifth period T5 from the start of the
first charging, the controller 100 starts the transferring (e.g.,
step S4). A duration of the fifth period T5 may be, for example, no
shorter than a sum of the first period T1 and the second period T2.
This may therefore enable application of the first transfer voltage
to the portion, which has been charged at the first position P1 in
the first charging, of the photosensitive drum 51, at the fourth
position P4 (refer to FIG. 4). Consequently, an effect on the other
portion, which has not been charged, of the photosensitive drum 51
by the first transfer voltage may be avoided.
[0090] Subsequent to step S4, the controller 100 executes the first
exposure (e.g., step S5). The first exposure may start any time
after expiration of the second period T2 from the start of the
first charging. In the illustrative embodiment, the first exposure
starts subsequent to the start of the transferring.
[0091] In step S5, the controller 100 executes the first exposure
based on image data included in the print instruction. Upon
completion of exposure based on the last data of the image data,
the controller 100 ends the first exposure.
[0092] Subsequent to step S5, upon expiration of the first period
T1 from the end of the first exposure, the controller 100 ends the
transferring (e.g., step S6). Subsequent to step S6, upon
expiration of the third period T3 from the end of the transferring,
the controller 100 ends the first charging (e.g., step S7).
[0093] Subsequent to step S7, upon expiration of the second period
T2 from the end of the first charging, the controller 100 controls
the developing roller moving mechanism TM to separate the
developing roller 54 from the photosensitive drum 51 (e.g., step
S8) and ends the ongoing control. That is, in step S8, the
controller 100 starts the toner-supply suspension.
[0094] Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, the accumulated charge removal
and the image formation will be described.
[0095] As illustrated in FIG. 9, in response to receipt of a print
instruction (e.g., timing t1), the controller 100 executes the
reverse charging. When the second charging starts, the developing
rollers 54 are kept separated from the respective photosensitive
drums 51 by the ongoing toner-supply suspension started upon
completion of the last image formation.
[0096] As illustrated in FIG. 10A, in the second charging, the
entire circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum 51 is
negatively charged as the photosensitive drum 51 rotates a full
turn. In FIGS. 10A to 10G, a negative surface potential of the
photosensitive drum 51 is indicated virtually by a thin solid line,
and a positive surface potential of the photosensitive drum 51 is
indicated virtually by a thin dashed line.
[0097] As illustrated in FIG. 9, upon lapse of the second period T2
from the start of the reverse charging, the controller 100 starts
the second exposure (e.g., timing t2). Thus, as illustrated in FIG.
10B, when the portion negatively charged at timing t1 (when the
second charging starts) arrives at the second position P2, the
scanner 40 starts exposing the portion charged at timing t1 to a
laser beam. More specifically, for example, substantially the
entire width of the image formable area is exposed in the second
exposure.
[0098] When the portion negatively charged at timing t1 is exposed
in the second exposure, as illustrated in FIG. 10C, the negative
accumulated charges C2 are cancelled out by the positive charges
C11 generated by exposure (refer to FIGS. 6B and 6C). In FIGS. 10A
to 10G, the accumulated charges C1 and C2 in the photosensitive
layer 51B are indicated by dots, and dot density may correspond to
an amount of accumulated charges C1 and C2 in the photosensitive
layer 51B. For example, as the accumulated charges C1 and C2
decrease by removal, the dot density becomes lower.
[0099] As illustrated in FIG. 9, upon expiration of the specified
period TD from the start of the reverse charging (e.g., timing t1),
the controller 100 ends the reverse charging (e.g., timing t4).
Thus, the entire circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum
51 has undergone charging in the reverse charging, i.e., the entire
circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum 51 has been
negatively charged. When the reverse charging is completed, the
charges may be distributed in the photosensitive layer 51B as shown
in FIG. 10D. That is, when the photosensitive drum 51 completes a
full turn from the start of the reverse charging, the portion
negatively charged at timing t1 when the reverse charging starts
has already returned to the charging roller 52 via the second
position P2. Therefore, the portion that is positioned upstream
from the first position P1 and downstream from the fourth position
P4 in the photosensitive layer 51B in the rotating direction of the
photosensitive drum 51 has undergone negative charging and
exposure, and thus the accumulated charges C2 have already been
removed from the portion.
[0100] As illustrated in FIG. 9, upon expiration of the specified
period TD from the start of the second exposure, the controller 100
ends the second exposure (e.g., timing t5). Thus, the entire
circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum 51 has undergone
exposure in the second exposure. When the second exposure is
completed, the charges may be distributed in the photosensitive
layer 51B as shown in FIG. 10E. That is, when the photosensitive
drum 51 completes a full turn from the start of the second
exposure, the portion negatively charged at timing t1 when the
reverse charging starts has already returned to the second position
P2. Therefore, the entire portion of the photosensitive layer 51B
has undergone negative charging and exposure, and thus the negative
accumulated charges C2 have already been removed from the
portion.
[0101] As illustrated in FIG. 9, subsequent to the end of the
second exposure (e.g., timing t5), the controller 100 starts the
second charging at an appropriate timing (e.g., timing t6). As
illustrated in FIG. 10F, in the second charging, the entire
circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum 51 is positively
charged as the photosensitive drum 51 rotates a full turn. The
second charging causes generation of a first electric field E1 in
the photosensitive layer 51B (refer to FIG. 6D). The first electric
field E1 acts on the negative charges C12 generated in the second
exposure and the negative charges C12 thus move toward the outer
surface of the photosensitive layer 51B. Therefore, the negative
charges C12 are attracted to the positive accumulated charges C1 to
cancel each other out.
[0102] As illustrated in FIG. 9, upon expiration of the specified
period TD from the start of the second charging (e.g., timing 6),
the controller 100 ends the second charging (e.g., timing t7).
Thus, the entire circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum
51 may receive the effect of the first electric field E1. When the
second charging is completed, the charges may be distributed in the
photosensitive layer 51B as shown in FIG. 10G. That is, when the
photosensitive drum 51 completes a full turn from the start of the
second charging, the entire portion of the photosensitive drum 51
has undergone negative charging, exposure, and positive charging.
Therefore, the accumulated charges C1 and C2 have been removed from
the entire portion of the photosensitive layer 51B.
[0103] Thereafter, as illustrated in FIG. 9, the image formation,
including step S2 and subsequent steps of FIG. 7, is executed. That
is, subsequent to the end of the second charging, the controller
100 starts the first charging (e.g., timing t7). Subsequently, upon
expiration of the fourth period T4 from timing t7, the controller
100 ends the toner-supply suspension, i.e., the controller 100
controls the developing roller moving mechanism TM to contact the
developing roller 54 to the photosensitive drum 51 (e.g., timing
t8).
[0104] Upon expiration of the fifth period T5 from timing t7, the
controller 100 starts the transferring (e.g., timing t9).
Subsequent to timing t9, the controller 100 executes the first
exposure based on image data at an appropriate timing (e.g., timing
t11).
[0105] Subsequent to completion of the first exposure executed
based on the image data (e.g., timing t13), upon expiration of the
first period T1 from timing t13, the controller 100 ends the
transferring (e.g., timing t14). Subsequently, upon lapse of the
third period T3 from timing t14, the controller 100 ends the first
charging (e.g., timing t15). Upon expiration of the second period
T2 from timing t15, the controller 100 starts the toner-supply
suspension, i.e., the controller 100 controls the developing roller
moving mechanism TM to separate the developing roller 54 from the
photosensitive drum 51, and ends the image formation.
[0106] According to the first illustrative embodiment, the
following effects may be obtained.
[0107] Each of the reverse charging and the second exposure lasts
for a duration equal to a length of time required for the
photosensitive drum 51 to rotate a full turn. Therefore, the second
electric field E2 may be enabled to act on the entire portion of
the photosensitive layer 51B in the circumferential direction. As a
further result, the positive charges C11 generated by exposure may
be moved by the effect of the second electric field E2 to cancel
out the accumulated negative charges C2. Consequently, the negative
accumulated charges C2 may be removed from the photosensitive layer
51B. The second charging also lasts for a duration equal to the
length of time in which the photosensitive drum 51 rotates a full
turn. Therefore, the second electric field E2 may be enabled to act
on the entire portion of the photosensitive layer 51B in the
circumferential direction. Thus, the negative charges C12 generated
by exposure may be moved by the effect of the first electric field
E1 to cancel out the accumulated positive charges C1. Consequently,
the accumulated positive charges C1 may be removed from the
photosensitive layer 51B.
[0108] In the reverse charging, if a reverse charge voltage is
applied to the transfer roller 74, a longer time period may be
required for the portion negatively charged by the transfer roller
74 to arrive at the second position P2 as compared with the case of
the first illustrative embodiment because the transfer roller 74 is
disposed upstream from the second position P2 further than the
charge roller 52. In the reverse charging according to the first
illustrative embodiment, however, a reverse charge voltage having a
negative polarity is applied to the charge roller 52. Therefore, as
compared with the case where the reverse charging is implemented
using the transfer roller 74, an interval between start of the
reverse charging and end of the second exposure may be shortened in
the first illustrative embodiment.
[0109] In the toner-supply suspension, the developing rollers 54
are separated from the photosensitive drums 51 and are kept in the
separated state. Therefore, toner supply from the developing
rollers 54 to the respective photosensitive drums 51 may be
effectively stopped temporarily.
[0110] In the first illustrative embodiment, the reverse charging
is started during execution of the toner-supply suspension.
Therefore, this control may avoid an unnecessary toner supply to
the negatively charged portion of the photosensitive drum 51. The
timing at which the toner-supply suspension starts may be any
timing before a portion, which has been negatively charged in the
reverse charging when the reverse charging starts, arrives at the
third position P3. For example, the controller 100 may start the
reverse charging while not executing the toner-supply suspension
and then start the toner-supply suspension subsequent to the start
of the reverse charging. Nevertheless, as compared with such an
example, the control according to the first illustrative embodiment
may avoid an unnecessary toner supply to the negatively charged
portion of the photosensitive drum 51 effectively.
[0111] The controller 100 starts the second exposure upon
expiration of the second period T2 from the start of the reverse
charging. Therefore, as compared with a case where the controller
100 starts the second exposure prior to expiration of the second
period T2 from the start of the second charging, the control
according to the first illustrative embodiment may avoid needless
execution of the second exposure, which may result in minimizing
power consumption.
[0112] In the first illustrative embodiment, the duration of the
execution period of the reverse charging, the duration of the
execution period of the second exposure, and the duration of the
execution period of the second charging are equal to each other.
Therefore, each of the reverse charging, the second exposure, and
the second charging may be avoided to be executed needlessly.
Second Illustrative Embodiment
[0113] A second illustrative embodiment will be described with
reference to appropriate accompanying drawings. In the second
illustrative embodiment, details of the operations to be executed
by the controller 100 may be different from those according to the
first illustrative embodiment. Common components or steps have the
same reference numerals or step numbers as those of the first
illustrative embodiment, and the detailed description of the common
components or steps is omitted.
[0114] In the second illustrative embodiment, as illustrated in
FIG. 11, subsequent to start of the toner-supply suspension (e.g.,
timing 16), the controller 100 executes the reverse charging and
the second exposure. The controller 100 executes the reverse
charging for a period 2TD, which may correspond to a period
required for the photosensitive drum 51 to rotate two full turns.
Upon expiration of a predetermined period TP from the start of the
reverse charging (e.g., timing t20), the controller 100 starts the
second exposure (e.g., timing t21). The predetermined period TP may
be expressed by Expression (5).
TP=TD+D2/S (5)
[0115] In the second illustrative embodiment, the charge roller 52
functions as the reverse charger. Therefore, a distance DP from a
position at which the circumferential surface of the photosensitive
drum 51 and the reverse charger contact with each other to the
second position P2 (refer to FIG. 4) corresponds to D2.
[0116] Further, the controller 100 executes the second exposure for
the period required for the photosensitive drum 51 to rotate a full
turn (e.g., the specified time TD).
[0117] Referring to FIG. 12, operations to be executed by the
controller 100 according to the second illustrative embodiment will
be described. The flowchart of FIG. 12 includes steps S2 to S8 that
are the same as the flowchart of FIG. 7 according to the first
illustrative embodiment. The flowchart of FIG. 12 includes other
steps S21 to S25 that are different from the flowchart of FIG. 7
according to the first illustrative embodiment. More specifically,
step S21 is substituted for step S1 and steps S22 to S25 are newly
added subsequent to step S8.
[0118] As illustrated in FIG. 12, in response to receipt of a print
instruction (e.g., START), the controller 100 executes the second
charging for the specified time TD (e.g., step S21). Subsequent to
step S21, the controller 100 executes steps S2 to S8 in this order
successively.
[0119] Subsequent to step S8, the controller 100 starts the reverse
charging (e.g., step S22). Subsequent to step S22, upon expiration
of the predetermined period TP from the start of the reverse
charging, the controller 100 starts the second exposure (e.g., step
S23).
[0120] Subsequent to step S23, upon expiration of the period 2TD
from the start of the reverse charging, the controller 100 ends the
reverse charging (e.g., step S24). Subsequent to step S24, upon
expiration of the specified period TD from the start of the second
exposure, the controller 100 ends the second exposure (e.g., step
S25) and thus ends the ongoing control.
[0121] According to the second illustrative embodiment, the
following effects may be obtained.
[0122] In the second illustrative embodiment, subsequent to the
first charging for printing, the reverse charging and the second
exposure are executed. Therefore, after printing is completed, the
charges may be distributed in the photosensitive layer 51B as shown
in FIG. 10E. Thereafter, in response to receipt of a print
instruction, the controller 100 executes the second charging. As a
result of this, the charges may be distributed in the
photosensitive layer 51B as shown in FIG. 10G. Therefore, prior to
start of the first charging, accumulated charges C1 and C2 may be
removed from the photosensitive drum 51.
[0123] In the second illustrative embodiment, subsequent to the
first charging for printing, the reverse charging and the second
exposure are executed. Therefore, prior to start of the next
printing, only the second charging is required for removing
accumulated charges C1 and C2 from the inside of the photosensitive
drum 51. Accordingly, an interval between receipt of a print
instruction and start of printing may be shortened.
[0124] In the second illustrative embodiment, the controller 100
executes the reverse charging for the period 2TD that corresponds
to the time required for the photosensitive drum 51 to rotate two
full turns. Therefore, the circumferential surface of the
photosensitive drum 51 that has been positively charged in the
first charging may be charged to a negative potential sufficiently.
While the duration of the execution period of the reverse charging
is specified as the period 2TD, the duration of the execution
period of the second exposure is specified as the specified period
TD. Therefore, unnecessary execution of the second exposure may be
avoided.
Third Illustrative Embodiment
[0125] A third illustrative embodiment will be described with
reference to appropriate accompanying drawings. In the third
illustrative embodiment, some configuration and details of the
control to be executed by the controller 100 may be different from
those according to the first illustrative embodiment. Common
components or steps have the same reference numerals or step
numbers as those of the first illustrative embodiment, and the
detailed description of the common components or steps is
omitted.
[0126] As illustrated in FIG. 13, the controller 100 controls the
transfer voltage application circuit 240 to apply a transfer
voltage having the same polarity as the first transfer voltage,
e.g., a negative second transfer voltage, to the transfer roller 74
in the reverse charging. That is, in the third illustrative
embodiment, the transfer roller 74 functions as the reverse
charger. In the illustrative embodiment, it is assumed that a
constant current control is adopted in which a transfer current
that passes through the transfer roller 74 is controlled to be a
constant target value, as a control for transfer voltage.
[0127] In the constant current control according to the
illustrative embodiment, the controller 100 monitors a value of
current passing through the transfer roller 74. Based on the
monitoring, the controller 100 determines a transfer voltage to be
applied to the transfer roller 74 by the transfer voltage
application circuit 240 and outputs a control signal to the
transfer voltage application circuit 240 based on the determined
transfer voltage. The value of the transfer voltage under the
constant current control may vary according to types of sheets,
environmental conditions (e.g., temperature and humidity), and/or
the presence or absence of a sheet. Nevertheless, for convenience
of explanation, in the illustrative embodiment, the first transfer
voltage and the second transfer voltage have the same value (e.g.,
-V2) in FIG. 13. The voltage value -V2 may be, for example, the
order of -3000 V.
[0128] Nevertheless, in other embodiments, for example, the target
value of the transfer current in each of the transferring and the
reverse charging may be the same value or different values. In
still other embodiments, for example, another constant voltage
control may be adopted in which a constant transfer voltage may be
applied to the transfer roller 74, as the control for transfer
voltage. In this case, the first transfer voltage and the second
transfer voltage may be the same value or different values.
[0129] The controller 100 executes the reverse charging for the
period 2TD, which may be a time period required for the
photosensitive drum 51 to rotate two full turns. Upon expiration of
the predetermined period TP from the start of the reverse charging
(e.g., timing t30), the controller 100 starts the second exposure
(e.g., timing t31). The predetermined period TP may be expressed by
Expression (6).
TP=TD+(D2+D3)/S (6)
[0130] D2+D3: a partial circumference of the circumferential
surface of the photosensitive drum 51. This partial circumference
is the length of a line that extends upstream along the
circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum 51 from the
second position P2 to the fourth position P4 (refer to FIG. 4)
inclusive in the rotating direction of the photosensitive drum
51.
[0131] That is, in the third illustrative embodiment, the transfer
roller 74 functions as the reverse charger. Therefore, the distance
DP from the second position P2 to the fourth position P4 (refer to
FIG. 4) corresponds to D2+D3.
[0132] Referring to FIG. 14, operations to be executed by the
controller 100 according to the third illustrative embodiment will
be described. Accumulated charge removal of FIG. 14 includes
different steps from the accumulated charge removal of FIG. 8
according to the first illustrative embodiment. The flowchart of
FIG. 14 includes steps S14 to S16 that are substantially the same
as the flowchart of FIG. 8. The flowchart of FIG. 15 includes other
steps S31 to S33 that are different from the flowchart of FIG. 7
according to the first illustrative embodiment.
[0133] In response to receipt of a print instruction (e.g., START),
the controller 100 executes the processing operation of FIG. 7.
When the controller 100 executes the accumulated charge removal
(e.g., step S1), the controller 100 executes steps of the flowchart
of FIG. 14.
[0134] As illustrated in FIG. 14, in the accumulated charge
removal, the controller 100 starts the reverse charging using the
transfer roller 74 (e.g., step S31). Subsequent to step S31, upon
expiration of the predetermined period TP from the start of the
reverse charging, the controller 100 ends the second exposure
(e.g., step S32).
[0135] Subsequent to step S32, upon expiration of the period 2TD
from the start of the reverse charging, the controller 100 ends the
reverse charging (e.g., step S33). Subsequent to step S33, the
controller 100 executes steps S14 to S16 in this order
successively.
[0136] According to the third illustrative embodiment,
substantially the same effects as those obtained by the second
illustrative embodiment may be obtained.
[0137] Since a component involved in printing, such as the transfer
roller 74 or the charge roller 52, functions as the reverse charger
in the illustrative embodiments, an increase of parts count may be
avoided as compared with a case where a component that is not
involved in printing functions acts as the reverse charger.
Fourth Illustrative Embodiment
[0138] A fourth illustrative embodiment will be described with
reference to appropriate accompanying drawings. In the fourth
illustrative embodiment, details of the reverse charging may be
different from those according to the second illustrative
embodiment. Common components or steps have the same reference
numerals or step numbers as those of the third illustrative
embodiment, and the detailed description of the common components
or steps is omitted.
[0139] As illustrated in FIG. 15, the controller 100 implements the
reverse charging by applying a negative second transfer voltage to
the transfer roller 74. The other operations to be executed by the
controller 100 are the same or similar to the corresponding
operations according to the second illustrative embodiment.
Therefore, steps included in a flowchart according to the fourth
illustrative embodiment are the same or similar to steps included
in the flowchart of FIG. 12. More specifically, in the reverse
charging in step S22 of the fourth illustrative embodiment, the
transfer roller 74 is controlled instead of the charge roller 52.
According to the fourth illustrative embodiment, the same effects
as those obtained by the second illustrative embodiment may be
obtained.
[0140] While the disclosure has been described in detail with
reference to the specific embodiments thereof, these are merely
examples, and various changes, arrangements and modifications may
be applied therein without departing from the spirit and scope of
the disclosure.
[0141] In the second and third illustrative embodiments, the
predetermined period TP satisfies the equation of TP=TD+DP/S.
Nevertheless, in other embodiments, for example, the predetermined
period TP may satisfy an equation of TP.gtoreq.TD+DP/S.
[0142] The timing at which the developing rollers 54 are separated
from the respective photosensitive drums 51, that is, the timing at
the toner-supply suspension is started, may be any timing after a
trailing end of the exposed portion exposed in the first exposure
executed based on image data, i.e., the portion that just passed
the second position P2 when the first exposure ends, arrived at the
third position P3. Similar to this, the timing at which the
toner-supply suspension ends may be any timing after a trailing end
of the charged portion charged by the charge roller 52, i.e., the
portion that just passed the first position P1 when the charging
ends, arrived at the third position P3.
[0143] The start timing and/or the duration of the execution period
of each of the reverse charging, the second exposure, and the
second charging are not limited to the specific embodiments, but in
other embodiments, for example, may be specified appropriately. For
example, in the first illustrative embodiment, the reverse charging
and the second exposure may be started at the same timing.
[0144] In an example of each illustrative embodiment, the first
charging and the second charging may be executed successively at
respective timings with no interval between their timings. In
another example, the first charging and the second charging may be
executed separately at respective timings with an interval during
which the charge voltage is 0 (zero) being provided between their
timings. Similar to this, the first exposure and the second
exposure may be executed successively at respective timings with no
interval between their timings or may be executed separately at
respective timings with an interval being provided therebetween.
The reverse charging and the first charging may be executed
successively at respective timings with no interval between their
timings or may be executed separately at respective timings with an
interval being provided therebetween.
[0145] The developer is not limited to positively charged toner,
but in other embodiments, for example, may be negatively charged
toner. If negatively charged toner is used, the polarity of each
voltage applied in each of the illustrative embodiments may be
changed to be opposite.
[0146] The photosensitive member is not limited to the
photosensitive drum 51, but in other embodiments, for example, may
be a belt-shaped member.
[0147] The charger is not limited to the charge roller 53, but in
other embodiments, for example, may be a corona discharge charger
disposed remote from the photosensitive drum. That is, the charger
may include a charge wire and a grid electrode.
[0148] The exposure device is not limited to the scanner 40, but in
other embodiments, for example, may be an LED unit for exposing a
photosensitive member using an LED or a static eliminator for
removing static charges from the circumferential surface of the
photosensitive member.
[0149] The developing unit is not limited to the developing unit
520 including the developing roller 54 contactable to the
photosensitive drum 51, but in other embodiments, for example, may
be a non-contactable developing unit disposed apart from the
photosensitive drum 51 and including no contactable member or no
portion contactable to the photosensitive drum 51.
[0150] The transfer member is not limited to the transfer roller
74, but in other embodiments, for example, may be a non-contactable
transfer member disposed apart from the photosensitive drum.
[0151] The reverse charger is not limited to the charge roller 52
or the transfer roller 74, but in other embodiments, for example,
may be the cleaning blade 57 or an non-contactable transfer
member.
[0152] The toner-supply suspension is not limited to the specific
embodiment in which the developing roller 54 is separated from the
photosensitive drum 51. Nevertheless, in other embodiments, for
example, the toner-supply suspension may be implemented such that
the developing voltage applied to the developing roller is changed
to a smaller voltage than the surface potential of the exposed
portion of the photosensitive drum to temporarily stop toner supply
to the photosensitive drum from the developing roller.
[0153] The image forming apparatus is not limited to the color
printer 1, but in other embodiments, for example, may be a
monochrome printer, a copying machine, and a multifunction
device.
[0154] The transfer-receiving medium is not limited to a sheet P,
but in other embodiments, for example, may be a belt that may
contact the photosensitive drum in an intermediate-transfer type
printer.
[0155] The one or more aspects of the disclosure may be implemented
in various combinations of the elements described in the
illustrative embodiments and variations.
* * * * *